1980s alternative comedy star The Iceman reveals all in new book
- Melt It! The Book of the Iceman, a publication about the 1980s alternative comedy circuit star, has been published
- Anthony Irvine is well remembered for melting large ice blocks on stage whilst delivering pun-based monologues
- The book features an interview with Irvine conducted by Robert Wringham, alongside 56 polaroid pictures
A new book has been published focusing on The Iceman, the comedy act who performed at London's alternative comedy venues in the 1980s and 90s.
The Iceman - whose real name is Anthony Irvine - would take to the stage and melt large blocks of ice in front of the audience, whilst "punning his way through ice-based monologues".
Now fringe comedy historian Robert Wringham has collaborated with Irvine to produce Melt It! The Book of the Iceman, a publication in which an interview with Irvine is presented alongside 56 numbered polaroid pictures, described as "all that remains of The Iceman's blocks", "presented here in thrilling instamatic colour, an attempt at unlikely immortality."
Publishers Go Faster Stripe explain: "Alone with his props and a persistent vision, The Iceman played the most important venues in alternative comedy through the 1980s and 90s. He appeared on television, in a feature film, and on the radio, all with the singular mission of melting ice that, as some have pointed out, would have melted anyway."
Talking about the interview presented via the book, they add: "Find out what The Iceman was thinking. Hear where he came from and what happened when he vanished. What are 'ghost blocks' and who is 'the Blockless One'? These questions and more are finally answered in this unique pictorial interview with the legend that is The Iceman!"
Irvine, now a fine art painter, has a similar number of his paintings showcased in the book. The paintings are all inspired by his original melts.
Robert Wringham explains: "I wrote a book about Cluub Zarathustra ten years ago. Everyone I interviewed remembered The Iceman but I couldn't find him. Like so many other fringe acts, he was simply gone. When John Fleming put me in touch with Anthony, I suggested my book idea. We spent a day together at Battersea Arts Centre where I grilled him to see what made The Iceman tick."
The book features a foreword by Simon Munnery and an afterword by Stewart Lee. In his afterword, Lee says: "I am so glad this book exists ... another of Wringham's essential mini-masterpieces."
Chris Evans of Go Faster Stripe was happy to snap up the unusual book. He says: "It's right up my street. And if it's something I'd like to read, hopefully there's more people like me."
Wringham says: "We approached a few other publishers to try scooping an unlikely big-money advance, but I knew from day one that Go Faster Stripe was the only outlet for the book. They have a huge following of niche comedy fans with a brilliant sense of humour."
Melt It! The Book of the Iceman, which comprises of 184 pages, was released today. It can be purchased in paperback format for £15, or as a download for £5.
Melt It! The Book Of The Iceman
The Iceman has an unusual comedy act. He melts large blocks of ice. He does this while punning his way through ice-based monologues. A plastic duck lingers in a trough beneath an overflow pipe, interminably waiting to be lifted by meltwater.
Alone with his props and a persistent vision, The Iceman (real name Anthony Irvine) played the most important venues in alternative comedy through the 1980s and 90s. He appeared on television, in a feature film, and on the radio, all with the singular mission of melting ice that, as some have pointed out, would have melted anyway.
56 numbered Polaroids - all that remains of the Iceman's blocks - are presented here in thrilling instamatic colour, an attempt at unlikely immortality.
Find out what the Iceman was thinking. Hear where he came from and what happened when he vanished. What are 'ghost blocks' and who is 'the Blockless One'? These questions and more are finally answered in this unique pictorial interview with the legend that is The Iceman!
First published: Thursday 19th January 2023
- Publisher: Go Faster Stripe
- Pages: 184
- Catalogue: 9781838457150
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- Publisher: Go Faster Stripe
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